A CENTENARIAN born at the time Europe was embroiled in the Great War has revealed the advice she would give to those in their younger years.

Gladys Mince says she'd tell people to 'travel', if they can. "Don't take the easy way and just go on holiday. Travel," she said.

For Mrs Mince, who turns 100 on October 20, travel has certainly played an important role in keeping her young at heart.

Over the years, she has been to various places around the continent with husband, Colin, 84. Even as old age became an issue, the couple continued to explore, taking adventures around the UK with Yeomans Coach Tours.

Still living at home on Queensway, Hereford, Mrs Mince also credits keeping 'as busy' as possible to helping her reach 100.

A former pupil of Lord Scudamore Primary School and the Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School, Gladys left education when she was 14.

Her first job was at Walters Shop in Ledbury where she earned two shillings per week dressing windows. She then went to Malvern Girls' College where she worked as a house maid and then spent many years working at Woolworths in Hereford.

As a teenager, she visited an air show in Gloucestershire with her parents where she was taken for a ride in a plane flown by Douglas Bader – one of the Royal Air Force's most famous pilots.

Her husband, Colin, said: "During the Second World War, it was discovered that she could drive, so they said 'we need a driver, all the men are gone' and there was a place in High Town called Burtons Grocery which she delivered around Garway Hill.

"She recalls that the vehicle she drove had very poor brakes and sometimes wouldn't even start."

After that, she worked at Wilsons shop selling women's clothes on Eign Street and married Colin in 1976 after the pair met at dance classes.

They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a 14-day cruise around the Canary Islands.

Gladys will be joined by friends for a meal in Hereford to celebrate her very special birthday.

Colin added: "You have got to keep active. When you get older people loll about in the house and it's a big mistake. Go out as much as you can and enjoy life."